Blank container for insulation units



Aug. 21, 1934. D. H. coRLETTE Er 11u.l 1,971,064

I BLANK CONTAINER FOR INSULATION UNITS Filed Aug. 21, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l L ee,

Zhu/Z655.' 165.06%

Allg- 2l, 1934 D. H. coRLl-:TTE Er AL `-1,971,054 i BLANK CONTAINER FOR INSULATION UNITS Filedk Aug. 2,1, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 2l, i934 BLANK CONTMNER FR NSULATHN UNITS llbean Holmes Coi-lette, lliicagciny lll., and Charles Marston Lee, Detroit, Mich., assignors to Wood Conversion Company, Clouuet, Minn., a corpo-f ration of Delaware Application August 2l, i933, Serial No. 686,@36

l Claims. (ill. 229-55) The present invention relates to envelopes or bags which are particularly adapted to be iilled with insulation iiller, and sealed, to form an insulation unit, package or slab.

The invention has particular reference to a simple cheap bag which can be folded flat, and thus be stored, shipped, or provided compactly as a supply of vravv material. It has further reference to a particular process and a type of mal0 chine which are cooperative with the bag structure for filling the bag and converting it into an eicient unit.

It is now a practice for manufacturers of insulated equipment, such as refrigerators, to use l5 insulation units or slabs of predetermined size,

and to make such units on the spot, rather than to buy preformed units from an outside source.

Particular advantages are savings in cost, in time,

and in space. Manufacturers are enabled thus 2@ to buy, or to make, envelopes, bags or containers of the' desired size, and to buy highly compressed insulation iller, such as baled fiber, and then to loosen the filler and lill and seal the envelope. By reason of this, shipments of raw material are in more condensed form, and therefore the raw material is cheaper. There are also advantages over shipping preformed slabs or units, not only in freight savings, but also in minimizing handling and shipping of units with consequent liability of puncture and damage to the same. Since these units are customarily sealed and are waterproof, it is very desirable to minimize this danger.

it is also now a practice to use a machine which conditions the liber or other iiller, and which more or less automatically lls the bag.' The filled bags are closed and sealed by manual operations. The Vbags or envelopes of this invention are made of exible material, in part to permit folding of the bag, in part for economy, and for other reasons. in use or in installation, or handling, it is frequently necessary to use force on one or more edges of the unit, and these edges practically require some reinforcement to preiii) vent crushing the unitinwardly. This advan- :i5 tage is described in the Corlette U. S. Patent No.

1,911,605 May 3e, 1933.

The object of the present invention is to pro- Vide a i'oldable bag or envelope of flexible material with edge reinforcement which is a part of the bag or envelope.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a bag or envelope with reinforcement aty the open end, so that in the closing and sealing process the reinforcement aids in the process. 55 Various other and ancillary objects and advan- -the dimensions of the orifice.

tages of the invention will appear from the'following description and explanation of the invention and its application as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l represents 'very diagrammatically a method and a machine for filling the containers of this invention.

Fig. 2 represents a nat-folded bag with closed bottom and open end preformed for accurate closure.

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate successive stages of the process of closing the bag of Fig. 2 after nlling.

Fig. 6 represents a modified form of the invention in which a tubular member is tted at both ends for closing operations.

Fig. 7 represents an end view of the bag of Fig. 6 and also one manner in which the bag is folded flat.

Fig. 8 is a view of one end of a bag showing of the method is that loose bulk ber or iiller is compressed to an expansible but limited volume practically coincident with the interior of the envelope. The opened, empty, open-ended bag or envelope receives the compressed preformed iiller, which is inserted into it. In the form of machine illustrated a fiber body is extruded through an orilice directly into the bag.

A bed plate 10 has a stop which may be an operators hand or a block ll, against which a closed end 12 of a bag 13 is placed. .The stop may be adjustable for different sizes.of bags. 'The open end is opposedv to an orifice 14 of a nozzle structure defined in part by suitable means including at the bottom the table 10, and at the top an inclined plate 15. This tapered nozzle 16 may have parallel or tapered side plates 17.v The compression provided by the inclined plate l5 is sufcient to produce in the bulk fibers a three-dimensional compression permitting parallel side plates for the nozzle structure 16. The position of one or both ofthe side plates 17 and the Width and position of the inclined plate l5 may be variable or adjustable to change In the diagram the inclined plate is shown pivoted at 18,

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where it is shown mounted on the end of a hopper 19. Back of the hopper a plate 2 0 is shown parallel to the base 10, providing a chute in which a plunger 21 may reciprocate between the full-line position and the dotted line position 22. The plunger may be replaceable or adjustable to conform to adjustments of the machine. An operating connection 23 for effecting reciprocation leads to suitable mechanism therefor.

Above the hopper 19 there is provided means 24 for supplying loose bulk fibers 25. At the orifice a raised thin plate 26 is provided, under which one of the lips or flaps ofthe open ended bag may be placed, while the opposite lip or flap may lie over the inclined plate 15, and the side lips or flaps may be outside the side plates 1'7. In some instances, depending on the bag construction, the opposing relation of the nozzle orice and the receiving end of the bag may be different from that particularly specified.

'I'he filler employed may be asbestos, feathers, hair, eel grass, kapok, cotton, mechanical or wood pulp, chemical pulp, partly fberized wood, or any fibrous packing having a loose or bulky form, as distinguished from thick felted sheets, or mats which might be piled as such, in layer form, into a similar package. The loose bulky material has advantages in that by packing it and compressing it, a pressure is exerted in all directions, and the insulation qualities are more uniform in all directions than where layers of exact size are employed, or where preformed mats are cut to size and piled. We prefer to use a wood ber which may be made by partially cooking wood waste, or wood chips, to soften the ligno-cellulose, so that the fibers may be more readily separated. It is not necessary to separate all thefibers individually. Groups of fibers from a softened wood chip may hang together loosely, presenting fibers with free ends. A mechanical bruising, rolling, picking or beating of chemically softened wood waste of chips while still wet makes a suitable bulk ber after thorough drying at elevated temperatures. It has a characteristic such that a handful of fibrous material may be picked easily from a large supply, and be easily. sprinkled or distributed without remaining in a ball or mass, like cotton for example. Such a character in pulp is not necessary for use in this invention, but is desirable in enabling the machine to distribute the fibers uniformly into a mass for compression to fit into the envelope.

In operation loosened bers, as from a disintegrated bale of fibersfare dropped into the hopper, wherefrom they fall before plunger 21. The plunger pushes them forward against the inclined plate 15 to effect directly both vertical and horizontal compression. The fibers thus become entangled and assume a rectangular form of considerable coherence which is gradually extruded into the bag. When the bag is full it is removed, and the open end closed and sealed. A change in bag may be effected quickly during a rearward stroke of the plunger, orthe ma chine may be stopped if its operation is otherwise 'too fast.

While the new bag is being filled the removed, filled bag is quickly sealed, for example, by an operator folding inlthe flaps or lips, with or without adhesive,as will be'clear hereinafter. This operation requires speed and precision tov maintain the desired form and dimensions of the bag. It requires application of pressure on the and folding of the flaps. It also requires an abutment for the expansible filler. According to this invention the bag is provided with means meeting these problems. The bag is in partl prefolded, or creased to indicate the flaps. The exible material of the envelope or bag body is rigidified by the presence of suitable additional material adhesively united to a lip or flap.

Reference is made to the U. S. Patent No. 1,911,605 of theapplicant Corlette to explain in full the.advantages of edge or edge-face reinforcement. In that patent there is described a similar type of slab or unit having a reinforce- 4ment inserted mechanically between the filler and the wrapper or envelope. Reference is also made to the Spaford U. S. Patent No. 1,927,879,"

issued September 26, 1933, filed November 16, 1931, as Serial No. 575,171, which describes a preformed bag structure having at one or more places separate reinforcement. The particular bag there described has extending lips or flaps, and is creased or pre-folded to indicate and facilitate theclosing and sealing of the bag when filled. 'I'he present invention is an outgrowth of the inventions of said two patents in order to adapt the article thereof to machine manufacture. A number of modified forms of the invention are hereinafter shown and described.

In the various structures hereinafter described a flexible material may be employed such as kraft paper, or duplex paper, this being two sheets of paper cemented together with an adhesive, preferably a waterproof adhesive like asphalt. Any other suitable flexible material may be used, such as thin metal, like aluminum sheet or foil, which in the sizes of units employed has a substantial flexibility. A duplex sheet of paper and metal foil is also contemplated. In the drawings no attempt is made to indicate the structure of the flexible sheet material.

Fig. 2 represents a bag structure capable of being folded flat. As to its bag structure it simulates the ordinary flat-bottomed grocery bag, but its dimensions are altered to make a large slab form of unit. The body 30 has an overlapping seal or seam 31 in the wide face, and a fiat-foldable bottom generally indicated at 32. The various laps and folds of the pre-closed bottom end are not indicated and described, since they preferably duplicate the ultimate structure of the opposite end as it will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In this respect it differs but slightly from grocery bags, particularly in having overlapping material cover as much as possible of the entire bag end, thereby to. serve as reinforcing material. There is thus provided over substantially the entire bag bottom at least two layers (with adhesive) of the flexible bag material. The adhesive used in making the bag may be one which gives much additional stiffness and rigidity to clearly define a rectangular bag bottom.

The bag top or open end differs from the ordinary grocery bag in being pre-folded and rein-l forced. The encircling line designated 33 defines the slab end, as distinguished from the bag end. The intervening sides of the bag are hereinafter referred to as lips or flaps. They may be uncut as shown, or cut so that the four lips or flaps are separate ones. In order to provide greater assurance for more perfect sealing they are shown as uncut. The flaps are designated in opposing pairs 34 and 35, and 36 and 3'7. To at least one of the aps, there is adhesively united a material which serves to rigidify the whole end, and especially to provide a sufciently rigid flap to define the thickness of the slab. It is preferred to have one of the large flaps 34 or 35 so rigidified by adhesively uniting to it additional material, preferably more rigid than the bag material, such as a piece of chipboard 38.

It is also preferred to have the rigidifying element of a size to substantially cover the open end, and to have it turn in on one of its long edges as a pivot. Thus, it may be turned over onto the open face to close it, on the first fold, and it serves as a holder or abutment against which the pressure of the compressed filler may exert itself. This is an important function of this element, because it enables one operator to do the folding, and at the same time hold the entire length of the exposed filler evenly positioned to assure a flat slab end, and one which is properly squared with the remainder of the slab. The slab may be sealed as it is folded, or it may be closed, and

the flaps temporarily fixed, so that a subsequent dipping operation completes the sealing.

With such a structure the bag of Fig. '2 may be closed as follows: Flap 35 is folded down against the filler 39 (as in Fig. 3). The two ends of the now closed end are smeared with asphalt as at 40 to receive the next folds 41 each including parts of aps 36 and 37. Then the remaining flap 34, covered in part by parts of flaps 36 and 37, is smeared with asphalt 42 (as in Fig. 4) and folded to ultimate form as in Fig. 5. In this final operation, the rigidied face serves to receive and distribute more uniformly the pressure of the various sealings, and a properly formed package results. In use, the rigidified edge functions as described in the Corlette U. S. Patent No.

A quicker method of folding may be followed by simply making the folds without use of adhesive. When completed one or more gummed stickers may be used merely to hold the folds in place. Then the end` is dipped, say for a depth of one-quarter inch, linto hot asphalt, which seals the pores and folds. If desired, while the hot asphalt coat is tacky, the tacky coat may be covered with a softl or pliable tissue sheet, the surplus of which may be rubbed or torn off after the asphalt sets.

pendent upon the manner of filling, to have a vent hole in the closed end as shown at 45. This may afterwards be covered by a seal (not shown). Fig. 6 represents a modified form of envelope particularly useful in the dipping process of sealing. The bag has two open ends as originally provided, which may be duplicate in structure, as shown. The bag body is a tube 50 of rectangular form with lapped portion 51 on a wide face.- Fig. 7 shows an end view and arrow 52 indicates relative motion of the two faces of the bag from form of Fig. 6 to effect a flat folded form. Because of two open ends this bag may be thus folded, whereas the bag of Fig. 2 cannot. On each end there are uncut flaps 53, 54, 55, and 56. On each flap 54 there is adhesively added a 'rigidifying piece of chipboard 57 coincident in size with the slab end. In filling the bag of Fig. 6 it is preferred first to .close one end by folding, and to hold the flaps temporarily in position by a piece of gummed tape properly positioned. Thus the end is not sealed, and a vent is provided for air which is trapped on inserting the filler. Then the open end, after the filling, is closed as described for Fig. 2. Both ends may be dipped in asphalt to complete the sealing.

i structure.

Fig. 8 shows a fragmentary view of' a bag end, in which two separate modifications are combined, it being understood that either or both modifications may be employed in the structures of Figs. 2 and 6, without departure from the invention. The material forming the bag body 60 is lapped at a side face of the slab as indicated bythe numerals 61 and 62., To balance the structure additional material 63 may be adhesively united on the opposite face 64. Where the reinforcing member 63 is heavy, for example where-it is chipboard, such that it will not fold well, it is terminated at the slab-end line of folding 65, as shown.

The length ofthe flaps, for example 66, is here shown less than the depth of the slab, so that it is necessary for the reinforcing addition 67, such as chipboard, which is secured to flap 66, to project beyond the confines of the end of the bag as indicated by the region designated 68. It is to be understood that the various flaps of this structure also may be cut or uncut. The cut-flaps are not so much desired where the end is sealed as foldedas they tend to create spaces likely not to be sealed. This disadvantage is not present when the dipping process is employed. It is therefore obvious that particular operations and convenience will predetermine the preferred form of flaps, whether cut or uncut. For many reasons, not necessary here to urge, the uncut form has commercial advantages.

As a result of the present invention one is enabled to construct an efficient slab with economy,v simplicity and rapidity. The final result is the formation of a slab or insulation unit embodying the inventions of the applicant Corlettes U. S. Patent No. 1,911,605, and of the Spafford U. S. Patent No. 1,927,879. The present invention contributes to attaining the advantages of those inventions, by reason of the initial structure of the envelope or bag, and particularly by supplying therein a reinforcing member which is in effect a part of the envelope or bag This member not only functions in the ultimate unit after its formation, but it performs three important functions in its formation, namely, an abutment for the expansible filler, a dener of accurate form and size, and a backing element for receiving the pressure requiredto fold or fold and seal an end of the bag. When the reinforcing means coincides with the cross-sectional area of the slab end, it performs all the desired functions. When it is shorter than illustrated, but has a width equal to the thickness of the slab, it functions to a less degree. When it is smaller and is located so as to cover only a part f the open area without having an edge coincident withthe opening, it still functionsto produce a number of the advantages herein set forth. It will be understood that numerous changes and modifications of the envelopes described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention` as expressed in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A bag or envelope for filling to provide an insulation unit, comprising a tubular body of flexible sheet material adapted to be folded flat and to be opened into a tube with a rectangular cross-section, an extension of said material at one end for forming a closure for said end, an extension of said material at the other end for forming a closure for the said end, and a rigidifying fiat element united to and carried by said last-mentioned extending portion, said element having a width equal to the thickness of the rectangular tube and being located on its carrier whereby to reinforce the end of the closed tube.

2. A bag or envelope for filling to provide an insulation unit, comprising a tubular body of flexible sheet material adapted to be folded at and to be opened intol a tube with a rectangular .cross-section, an extension of said material at one end for forming a closure for said end, an extension of said material at the other end for forming a closure for the said end, and a rigidfying flat elementunited to and carried by said last-mentioned extending portion, said element in area and form being substantially the same as the cross-section of the tube whereby to reinforce the entire end of the closed tube.

3. A bag or envelope for iilling to provide an insulation unitcomprising a structure which is substantially a at bottomed ,bag structure creased for foldingflat, and openable into a bag of rectangular cross-section, reinforcing means having an area and form substantially the same as said cross-section, said means being carried by the material of the bag at the open top thereof and located to define the bag end upon folding in as a closure the end material of said bag.

4. A bag or envelope for lling to provide an insulation unit comprising a tubular body of flexible sheet material, adapte-d to be at folded, and to be opened to have a predetermined cross-section, the ends of said tubular member being provided for turning inwardly to form end closures for the tube, and a reinforcing element having an area form substantially the same as said crosssection, said element being secured to an end portion of the tubular body to be turned in therewith into position as the end of the resulting unit.

5. A bag or envelope for `filling to provide an insulation unit comprising a'tubular body of flexible sheet material, adapted to be at folded, and to be'opened to have a predetermined cross-section, the ends of said tubular member being provided for turning inwardly to form end closures for the tube, and a rigidfying flat element for each end of said tubular member secured to the portion of material adjacent the end adapted to rial which is creased to define the limiting edges of the ultimate package, the material beyond the y creases which encircle the vicinity of each end of the bag being provided for closing the tubular ends, and rigidfying means carried at each end comprising a tubular body of exible sheet material which is creased to define the limiting edges of the ultimate'package, the material beyond the creases which encircle the vicinity of each end of the bag being provided for closing the tubular ends, and being at least not longer than the smallest dimension of the ultimate package, and a rigidfying flat element united to and carried at one end by said end-closing material, said element having a width substantially equal to the thickness of the rectangular tube and being located on its carrier whereby to reinforce the end of the closed tube.

, 8. An empty bag or envelope adapted to be flat folded, and to be opened for filling to form a closed rectangular package, said bag comprising a tubular body of flexible sheet material which is creased to define the limiting edges of the ultimate package, the material beyond the creases which encircle the vicinity of ends of the tube being provided for closing the tubular ends, and rigidfying means carried at one end by said end-closing material for covering an entire open end of the tube, the material of the tube at said end between the tube edge and the line of encircling creases being at least not longer than the smallest dimension of the ultimate package.

9. A bag or envelope for filling to provide an insulation unit comprising a structure which is substantially a fiat bottomed bag structure creased for folding fiat, andopenable into a bag of rectangular cross-section, and flat reinforcing means having a width equal to the thickness of the unit, said means being carried by the material of the bag at the open top thereof and located partly to define the bag end upon folding in as a closure the end material of said bag.

10. An empty bag or envelope adapted to be filled to form an insulation unit comprising a tubular body of iiexible sheet material having an open end for insertion of insulation material when opened to provide a rectangular cross-section for the tubular body, and at reinforcing means s1,- cured to the material of the tube near the open end, said means having a Width substantially equal to the width of the cross-section of the open end, and being located on its carrier to cross the end of the unit and to define edges of the unit upon folding in the material of the tubular body to form an end closure. DEAN HOLMES CORLE'I'IE.

CHARLES MARSTON LEE. 

